Environmental and Conservation Technician

Program Overview: River Science is the lead organization for River Corps and is a 501c(3) nonprofit located in Canon City, CO. The River Corps program places AmeriCorps members at organizations and agencies throughout Colorado to focus on helping the efficiency, efficacy, and scale or healthy rivers and watersheds. To thrive in these technical positions, Members will receive comprehensive training and ongoing support. Specifically, all members will receive training in water quality sampling, stream flow measurement, on-the-ground project monitoring with GIS, and essential watershed coordination techniques to ensure they are adding valuable capacity to watershed actions and initiatives across Colorado. Some positions will require members to be trained in low-tech process-based restoration (ltpbr).  

Service Site Overview: Friends of the Yampa is a 501c(3) nonprofit located in Steamboat Springs, CO and serving the entire Yampa River corridor from the Flattops to Dinosaur National Monument.  FOTY’s mission is to protect and enhance the environmental and recreational integrity of the Yampa River and its tributaries through stewardship, advocacy, education, and partnerships.

Service Position Summary: The River Corps Member will serve as Environmental and Conservation Technician for FOTY.  The role will support the Environmental Program Manager and the Conservation Program Manager in carrying out their duties and tasks related to the Yampa River Scorecard Project, Stream Team program, beaver non-lethal management, the Yampa River Leafy Spurge Project, Yampa River youth camps, temperature monitoring in conjunction with the City of Steamboat Springs, and other programs and events as needed.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

• Assist in gathering information, scoring indicators, and writing the final report for the People and Community Benefits and River Uses and Management attribute areas of the Yampa River Scorecard Project.
• Assist with volunteer recruitment, volunteer and project coordination, water quality sample collection and analysis, and data management and reporting for the Stream Team program (including River Watch, dragonfly mercury sampling, and other projects)
• Assist in retrieving and sharing temperature data from FOTY’s river temperature logger program
• Assist in site visits, planning, and installation for non-lethal beaver management projects
• Provide on-river safety and support during Yampa River youth camps
• Assist with Yampa River Leafy Spurge Project coordination and collection, release, and monitoring of biocontrol agents in the field

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

• Assist with FOTY community outreach and education events as needed
• Attend and help to represent FOTY at stakeholder and partner meetings as needed
• Provide support for the Yampa River Festival (FOTY’s signature event to raise awareness about the river, involving a variety of recreational events) and associated events along with FOTY staff and volunteers
• Provide support for the Big Snow Bash fundraiser alongside FOTY staff and volunteers
• Provide support for Yampa Basin Rendezvous (the Yampa Valley’s annual water and climate conference)

 Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Willingness to learn and share ideas
• Physically able to hike or wade alongside or in streams where terrain may be uneven, steep, or slippery
• Able to kneel and lift loads of up to 25 pounds for restoration project implementation
• Able to sit at a desk for extended periods of time
• Understanding of the importance of data quality and adhering to strict sampling protocols
• Committed to river health, environmental justice, and building healthy, respectful relationships across diverse stakeholder groups
• Willing to work outside which may involve inclement weather
• Strong swimming skills

 Qualifications:

Applicants should:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be working toward or possess a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental studies, water resources, ecology, biology, education, outdoor recreation, or a related field
• Have their own reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance
• Must be a high school graduate, GED recipient, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during the term of service. Members must obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award.
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Able to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website checks)

 Skills:

• Good writing skills including sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and technical content
• Public speaking during educational programming
• Be both a good listener and a good ambassador for Friends of the Yampa
• Organizational skills
• Follow through on tasks that may have little oversight
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Proficient in GIS applications (desired, not required)
• Baseline knowledge related to river and riparian ecology, Western water law, river hydrology, environmental restoration, and/or collaborative conservation
• Competent whitewater boater/kayaker a plus

Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to follow instructions and operate technical equipment, i.e. YSI multiparameter water quality meter
• Ability to learn and follow field method protocols for various aspects of field work

Term of Service / Time Commitment: This is a Three Quarter Time (TQT) national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 1200 hours during the year (approximately 37-40 hours per week). The position begins February 16, 2026 and ends September 30, 2026. While the position service will occur mostly between Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, flexible hours may be required including occasional evening and weekend commitments. Within these hours, there will be sufficient opportunity to fulfill the full term of 1200 hours, including holidays, time off, and missed hours to makeup.

Training and Support Provided: River Corps members receive significant training and experience in technical skillsets (e.g. water quality data collection, instream flow assessment, assessment with GIS) and community engagement (e.g. watershed coordination, stakeholder communication). Members will be supervised and supported by FOTY staff members Emily Burke (Conservation Program Manager, emily@friendsoftheyampa.com) and Jenny Frithsen (Environmental Program Manager, jenny@friendsoftheyampac.com), as well as by Allison Palmasano, River Corps Project Director, allison@river.science / 719.429.3707. The cohort of members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.  

Location and Service Conditions: The Environmental and Conservation Technician will serve Friends of the Yampa (FOTY) based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  Office work will be conducted at the FOTY office at 743 Oak Street, Steamboat Springs, CO.  Field work locations may be anywhere along the Yampa River and its tributaries in both Routt and Moffat counties.  Stakeholder and partner meetings may occur in both Routt and Moffat counties.

Benefits:

• A living allowance of $17,500 will be made in bi-weekly (every other Friday) payments of $1060.61 before tax. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member
• A housing stipend of up to $550 per month if needed
• An education award of $5,176.50 upon successful completion of term of service
• Training certificates in Water Quality & Ecology, and Hydrology Technician 1
• It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member
• Mileage reimbursement for travel to required trainings and days of service
• Non-tangible benefits including valuable hands-on experiences, networking, opportunity to help river and watershed health in a local community.
• Alumni benefits include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

River Conservation Corps (RCC) recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. RCC defines diversity in its broadest sense and welcomes everyone including but not limited to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, national origins, socioeconomic status, religious affiliations, languages, and heritages.

FOTY shall not discriminate against any employee, volunteer or program participant on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, disability, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, marital, parental, veteran or military status, political service, or membership, participation or association with any employee organization. We provide equal employment and volunteer opportunities to all individuals based on relevant qualifications and abilities